Tag Archives: Great Depression

I know the economy is improving, but even the most gifted job applicants sometimes have trouble finding the work they seek. This distressing situation was dramatized in music by Tamar Korn, vocal; Craig Ventresco, guitar; Joanna Sternberg, string bass; Wanda Seeley, the Singing Pride of Bozeman, Montana –July 26, 2015, at Casa Mezcal on Orchard Street in New York City — through this song:

I imagine the scenario: the songwriters at their desk in the Brill Building, 1931:

“Look at this. So many people unemployed. But people don’t want to sing about that. People want songs that make them forget their troubles.”

“Yeah, but how many songs can we write about moonlight on my canoe with you — when those poor slobs are hungry?”

“Wait. I NEED A JOB IN LOVE. No. I NEED THE JOB OF BEING YOUR SWEETIE.”

“How about I NEED A JOB UNDER THE COVERS WITH YOU AND I’M A HARD WORKER“?

Long pause for cogitation and regrouping.

“How about I’M AN UNEMPLOYED SWEETHEART“?

And an obscure masterpiece — made famous by Lee Morse — was born.

Fortunately for us, the four people in the video have jobs that they do so splendidly. We cherish them.

Thanks to Steven Ramm for pointing this out! From aaron1912 of YouTube, courtesy of British Pathe news footage, here’s a collection of wonderful tap dancers from the Thirties.

These great mobile artists are new to me (although perhaps not to dance historians in the audience): their names are Pauline Ward; Ted Andrews (Julie’s stepfather!) playing for an unknown dancer; Charles Parker; Jose and Heather Anderson; Jean Rema.

If you can watch this video without a momentary powerful pang — a wish to get up from the computer and execute these steps — see your neurologist. I don’t expect that people can do these magnificent moves, but that most of us want to.